Adult ESL Lessons: School (Beginner)

This is Lesson 7, “School,” from our book of beginner-level adult ESL lessons, “ESL Pathways: Foundations”. The lesson starts with a short story about two university students, followed by a dialogue between two people and comprehension questions. Students then fill in a chart about schools, answer discussion questions, and complete a grammar review. This lesson is available for free download, and you can download many other adult ESL lessons like this one in our book ESL Pathways: Foundations.

ADULT ESL LESSONS: School (Text-Only Version)

Maria and John are schoolmates at the university.

Maria is a student at the state university.  She is studying business.  She likes university, but the work is very hard.  She likes to study and to learn about business.  Maria has always liked going to school.  In kindergarten Maria liked to draw pictures.  In elementary school she liked to learn about American history.  In junior high school she liked to learn math.  In high school her favorite subjects were English and math, but she didn’t like to study history or science.  Maria is a good student.  She always does her homework and always gets good grades.     

John is a state university student also.  He is studying computer science.  He likes to go to university, but the work is difficult and he has to study very hard.  John has always liked going to school, too.  In kindergarten John liked to sing songs.  In elementary school he liked to read books.  In junior high school he liked to learn math, also.  In high school his favorite subjects were history and science but he didn’t like to study English or math. John is a good student too, but sometimes he is a little lazy.  Sometimes he doesn’t study hard enough.

Dialogue:  Maria and John are talking about school.

Maria:  Hi John.

John:  Hi Maria, how is school?

Maria:  Pretty good, but I’m very busy right now.

John:  Why are you so busy?

Maria:  I have to do a report before next Friday. 

John:  I’m pretty busy, too.

Maria:  Why are you busy?

John:  I have to study for mid-term exams.

Maria:  When are your exams?

John:  They begin next Monday and finish on Friday. 

Maria:  How many exams do you have?

John:  I have five exams.  One in each subject.

Maria:  Well, study hard and good luck.

John:  Thanks, Maria.  Good luck with your report.

Maria:  Thanks, John.

Questions:

1. Where do Maria and John study?
2. What does Maria study?
3. What does John study?
4. What did Maria like in kindergarten?
5. What did she like in elementary school?
6. What did she like in junior high school?
7. What were Maria’s favorite subjects in high school?
8. What subjects didn’t Maria like in high school?

9. What did John like in kindergarten?
10. What did he like in elementary school?
11. What did he like in junior high school?
12. What were John’s favorite subjects in high school?
13. What subjects didn’t John like in high school?

14. Is Maria a good student?
15. Is John a good student?
16. Why is Maria busy?
17. Why is John busy?

Ask your classmate: What did you like to learn in  (elementary school)       ?

Classmate answers:  I liked to learn ________________ in elementary school.

Discussion Questions:  

1. Did you go to elementary school?  Where?
2. Which subjects did you like in elementary school?  Why?
3. Which subjects didn’t you like in elementary school?  Why?
4. Did you get good grades in elementary school?
5. Did you always do your homework in elementary school?

6. Did you go to junior high school?  Where?
7. Which subjects did you like in junior high school?  Why?
8. Which subjects didn’t you like in junior high school?  Why?
9. Did you get good grades in junior high school?
10. Did you always do your homework in junior high school?

11. Did you go to college or university?  Where?
12. Which subjects did you like in college?  Why?
13. Which subjects didn’t you like in college?  Why?

14. Which cram schools have you been to?
15. What did you learn at cram school?  Did you like to study there?

Grammar Focus:  Fill in the blanks.

Maria is a __________ at the state university.  She is _________ business.  She

likes university, but the work is very _______.  She likes to study and to ______

about business.  In ______________________ Maria liked to draw pictures.  In

____________ _______ she liked to learn about American history.  In ________

______ _______ she liked to learn math.  In ________ ___________ her favorite

subjects were English and math, but she didn’t like to study history or science.  

Maria is a good student.  She always does her _____________ and she always

gets good _____________.